Nicolò Zaniolo is on the verge of becoming Fiorentina’s newest signing, marking a return to the club where he spent time in the youth academy. The 24-year-old Italian international is set to cut short his loan spell at Atalanta and make the switch to Florence, with the deal between Fiorentina and Galatasaray, Zaniolo’s parent club, nearly finalized.
Calciomercato report that the transfer is structured as a loan with an obligation to buy, set at €15.5 million, which will be triggered if Zaniolo plays in 60% of Fiorentina’s matches for the remainder of the season. This arrangement allows Fiorentina to assess the player’s impact before committing to a permanent deal.
Zaniolo’s time at Atalanta has been less than stellar, with limited playing time, injury setbacks, and a failure to fully integrate into the team’s system. In his 23 appearances for Atalanta this season, he managed just 563 minutes on the pitch, scoring three goals and providing three assists.
The move to Fiorentina presents a fresh opportunity for Zaniolo to revitalize his career. He will join an already competitive attacking lineup, vying for playing time alongside the likes of Sottil, Colpani, Gudmundsson, and Beltran. His versatility could prove valuable, as he can operate in various positions across the front line.
One intriguing aspect of this transfer is the potential partnership with Moise Kean, Zaniolo’s former teammate and friend. Their existing chemistry could prove beneficial for Fiorentina’s offensive dynamics.
